Why I Became an EMDR Certified Therapist™—and What EMDR Therapy Really Is
Woman meditating with her eyes closed on a rock in a grassy area with mountains in front of her.
In December, I was officially approved as an EMDR Certified Therapist™ through EMDRIA. EMDR certification is a rigorous, multi-year process that involves extensive training, ongoing consultation, supervised practice, and a demonstrated commitment to ethical, thoughtful use of the model.
For me, becoming EMDR certified wasn’t about adding a credential—it was about deepening my capacity to offer trauma therapy that is both effective and attuned. Certification reflects advanced training in how to pace EMDR carefully, how to work with complex and developmental trauma, and how to integrate EMDR with relational, attachment-based therapy rather than using it as a one-size-fits-all technique.
Most importantly, it reflects my belief that trauma healing should be collaborative, nervous-system-informed, and respectful of each person’s internal world. EMDR certification affirms that this work requires patience, ongoing learning, and a willingness to move slowly when needed—all values that already guide how I practice.
My Path to EMDR
I was inspired to integrate EMDR into my practice after experiencing it as a client myself. Through that process, I felt how EMDR can gently access parts of ourselves that have been carrying fear, pain, or overwhelm for a long time—often without words. It helped me soothe places that had felt stuck and reactive, and allowed a deeper sense of safety and integration to emerge.
At the same time, I became deeply interested in the science behind EMDR: how it works with the nervous system, memory networks, and the nervous system’s natural capacity to heal. EMDR isn’t about forcing change—it’s about supporting the brain in doing what it already knows how to do when the right conditions are present.
This combination—felt experience and neuroscience—made EMDR a natural fit for my work.
What Is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a trauma-informed therapy that helps the brain reprocess experiences that are stored in a stuck or unintegrated way.
Traumatic or overwhelming experiences—especially those that happen early, repeatedly, or without adequate support—can get “stuck” in the nervous system. Even years later, they may show up as anxiety, emotional reactivity, low self-worth, chronic stress, or a sense of being stagnant in treatment despite insight and effort.
EMDR works by:
Activating the brain’s natural processing system
Helping memories become less emotionally charged
Allowing new, more adaptive beliefs and feelings to emerge
EMDR doesn’t make you someone else or take memories away—instead, you remain present and aware, with full choice and control throughout the work.
Why EMDR Fits My Therapeutic Approach
My work is compassionate, relational, and IFS-informed, with a strong focus on safety and pacing. EMDR aligns beautifully with this because it allows us to:
Work gently with the nervous system rather than pushing through it
Honor protective parts instead of trying to bypass them
Create change that feels embodied, not just intellectual
I often work with individuals who are highly sensitive people (HSP), anxious, perfectionistic, or who feel “stuck” despite years of insight. Many of my clients understand why they feel the way they do—but their bodies haven’t fully caught up yet.
EMDR helps bridge that gap.
In my practice, EMDR is always collaborative and integrative. It’s not a standalone technique or something I impose—it’s one tool among many, woven thoughtfully with attachment-based therapy, parts work, and nervous-system awareness. We move at a pace that feels respectful and sustainable.
What EMDR With Me Looks Like
EMDR therapy with me is:
Collaborative — we decide together when and how to use it
Integrated — combined with other therapeutic approaches as needed
Grounded in consent and safety — your nervous system leads the way
You don’t need to retell your entire story or relive trauma in detail for EMDR to be effective. The work is often quieter and more internal than people expect.
If you’re curious to learn more about how EMDR works in my practice, you can also visit my EMDR Therapy page.
Is EMDR Right for You?
EMDR can be helpful for many concerns, including:
Trauma (single-incident or complex)
Anxiety and chronic stress
Attachment wounds
Feeling stuck in fear, shame, or self-doubt
Ongoing emotional reactivity without a clear “why”
That said, EMDR isn’t something you have to decide on right away. Curiosity is enough to begin the conversation.
If you’re in Fort Collins or Northern Colorado and wondering whether EMDR therapy might be a good fit for you, I’d be happy to talk more during a free consultation. Reach out here to schedule a time to connect.
